Union representing 33,000 B.C. government workers issues strike notice
A union representing tens of thousands of government workers handed the B.C. government 72 hours' strike notice Friday afternoon.
The notice on behalf of the B.C. General Employees' Union means that those workers will be in a legal position to take some form of job action before 3 p.m. Monday.
The union, which has 33,000 members who work for the provincial government, said it won't be releasing details of what that job action will be for now.
According to the union, the most recent collective agreement with the Public Service Agency expired back in April.
Negotiations have been underway since February, but so far, no deal has been reached.
In a news release, the BCGEU said bargaining reached an impasse on April 6. Union members voted in June in favour of job action, and although the parties met in July in another attempt to reach an agreement, "talks quickly broke down."
The union said the PSA invited it back to the bargaining table this week again, but "exploratory discussions" made it feel that a return "would not be fruitful at this time."
Back in July, the PSA sent an infographic showing its latest offer directly to union members, bypassing the negotiation team.
The graphic showed the province was offering a 25-cent-per-hour increase, plus a three per cent raise in Year 1.
There's an additional 25-cent hourly increase with a 2.5 per cent raise for Year 2, and a three per cent raise – with the possibility of another one per cent – in Year 3.
Together with a one-time $2,500 payment, that works out to about 11 per cent more money over three years for the union's lowest-paid workers, the graphic said.
On its side, the union is looking for five per cent pay boosts each year for two years, or a raise to match the cost of living – whichever is higher.
According to public documents, the government spends more than $38 billion on compensation. A one per cent pay increase would mean another $314 million would need to be found in the budget.
The union says it's asking for the same deal as is given to members of the legislative assembly.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
Manitoba government tables bill to end ban on homegrown recreational cannabis
Manitoba is planning to lift its ban on the home growing of recreational cannabis.